Melissa Cook Stadium was buzzing with excitement on Thursday evening, as the third-seeded Clemson Tigers faced off against six-seed North Carolina in the ACC Softball Tournament. Fans were treated to an intense game that saw Clemson clinch a 2-1 walk-off victory in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Graduate Ally Miklesh was the hero of the game, scoring the winning run on a wild pitch to seal the victory for the Tigers. Miklesh’s performance was critical to Clemson’s success, but it was a true team effort that secured the win.
Clemson’s offense stepped up to the plate, with JoJo Hyatt’s early walk, Reedy Davenport’s sac bunt, and Miklesh’s two-out hit securing the win. But it was Valerie Cagle’s “electric stuff” on the mound that kept North Carolina at bay. The 2023 ACC Player of the Year delivered a stellar performance, striking out a season-high 12 batters in eight innings.
Cagle’s performance was crucial to Clemson’s success, and her total career strikeouts surged past 700, reaching 707, with her season total now at 177. Her impressive record this year improved to 23-5, further cementing her status as one of the top pitchers in the ACC.
In an interview after the game, head coach John Rittman praised Cagle’s “wonderful performance in the circle” and credited her for having “electric stuff” throughout the match. Despite North Carolina’s speedy lineup, Clemson’s defense remained solid, and the Tigers capitalized on key opportunities to secure the win.
“Wonderful performance in the circle”
Head Coach – John Rittman
The game remained scoreless for three innings until Miklesh’s single up the middle in the bottom of the third inning put Clemson in the lead. North Carolina matched the score with a single run in the next inning, leading to extra innings. But Clemson’s pitching duel with North Carolina was far from over.
North Carolina’s mistake in failing to re-enter a batter resulted in the first out of the eighth inning. Clemson capitalized on the momentum to end the inning with a 1-6-3 double play. With Miklesh at bat, the Tarheels intentionally walked Cagle, but Miklesh took advantage of the passed ball, advancing to third base, before scoring on a wild pitch.
The win not only boosted Clemson’s record to an impressive 46-8 this year, but it also propelled the Tigers to the ACC Championship Semifinals for the third consecutive season. Clemson will face the No. 2 seed Duke on ACC Network in the next round of the ACC Championships at 1:30 p.m.
The Road for Clemson in the ACC Softball Tournament
With their impressive victory over North Carolina, the Clemson Tigers are now poised to make a run for the ACC Championship. But they will face a tough challenge in the semifinals when they take on the No. 2 seed Duke.
Duke, on the other hand, has a strong pitching lineup and offense, with a 40-9 record, and is set to face Clemson in a tough semifinal. Duke’s game is built on speed, with their shortstop Deja Davis having already stolen 32 bases this season, which will make for an exciting game. The winner of this match will face either Florida State or Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship game.
Valerie Cagle’s success
Clemson’s success this season is in no small part due to the outstanding performance of Valerie Cagle, the ACC Player of the Year, who has been the Tigers’ ace throughout the season. Cagle has shown her dominance both in the circle and at the plate, leading the team in strikeouts, batting averages, home runs, and RBIs. Her exceptional talent has earned her recognition and accolades, including being named the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year top 10 finalists.
But it’s not just Cagle who has propelled Clemson to their 46-8 record. The entire team has worked together to achieve success, and it was evident in their match against North Carolina. JoJo Hyatt, Reedy Davenport, and Ally Miklesh all contributed to securing the win, and the team’s defense was exceptional, including an impressive double play in the eighth inning.
Clemson’s head coach, John Rittman, has played an integral role in the team’s success this season. Rittman’s experience coaching at Stanford and the USA Softball National Team has brought a winning culture to Clemson, and his leadership has been critical in developing the team’s talent.
The Tigers’ success this season has been nothing short of remarkable, and their performance in the ACC Championship has been no exception. The team’s grit, determination, and teamwork have been on full display, and it’s no surprise that they have advanced to the semifinals for the third consecutive season.
Clemson’s thrilling 2-1 walk-off victory against North Carolina was a testament to the team’s talent and hard work this season. Valerie Cagle’s exceptional performance in the circle and Ally Miklesh’s heroic at-bat secured the win and propelled Clemson to the ACC Championship semifinals. The Tigers will face a tough Duke team, and it promises to be an exciting game for softball fans everywhere. Regardless of the outcome, Clemson’s success this season has been a joy to watch, and the team’s future is bright under the leadership of coach John Rittman.
